Candidate for
Justice; Pennsylvania Superior Court; Democratic Party

The Hon. John Milton Younge has been a distinguished member of and leader in Pennsylvania's legal community for nearly three decades. Voters first chose him as a judge for the Court of Common Pleas in 1995 and then opted to retain him in 2005 -- with good reason.

He is a past president of the Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges and is a member of the House of Delegates of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Younge also is a member in good standing of the National Bar Association, Philadelphia Bar Association, and the Barristers Association of Philadelphia. He is a candidate for a master's degree in judicial studies from the National Judicial College, an internationally-recognized institution for advanced judicial education.

The son of a trailblazing public school educator, his love of scholarship stems from his upbringing. It is also what inspires him as a faculty member of the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, allowing practicing attorneys and judges to continue honing their craft. His commitment to increasing the understanding of the judicial system led him to Delaware County Community College, where as an adjunct he helps provide a substantive glimpse into legal proceedings for nontraditional students and those in the earliest stages of their careers.

That respect for everyday citizens and ensuring their accessibility to justice has echoed throughout his career. Prior to joining the bench, he operated a community-based private law practice. He later transitioned to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, where he served for 10 years, rising to the rank of deputy executive director and general counsel.

Beyond the bench, Younge's commitment to his neighbors include chairing the New Life Credit Union and serving on the boards of the Consortium Inc., the Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Education Center, and the Associated Alumni of Central High School. A lifetime member and deacon of Sharon Baptist Church in Philadelphia, he also is a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Mu Omega chapter.

Younge earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Boston University in 1977 and his law degree from the Howard University School of Law in 1981. He has been honored by Cops and Citizens for Justice, the Christian Youth Basketball Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and the National Bar Association Judicial Council, among others.

He lives in the Wynnefield section of Philadelphia with his wife of 24 years, Joy. They have three children.